Is there any penalty for date changes or cancellations?

Date changes might be possible without penalty if done within a specified period. Cancellations might incur fees; please refer to the terms and conditions.

What type of accommodations are included in the tour?

The tour includes stays in hotel rooms with breakfast. Detailed accommodation information will be confirmed after booking.

Is there a minimum age to drive in Costa Rica?

The minimum age to drive in Costa Rica is 18 years old, and the minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old.

Can I customize the tour itinerary?

Yes, customization of the itinerary is possible. Please inform us about your preferences and we will accommodate them accordingly.

Is there travel support available during the tour?

Yes, you can reach out to us via the Ask a Question button for assistance during the tour.

Can I add a guided tour instead of self-driving?

If you prefer not to drive, there are options for tours with transport included. Please inform us, and we will help you arrange it.

Is car insurance included in the tour?

Full car insurance is not included. Additional insurance can be purchased directly from the car rental company upon arrival.

What is the process for renting a car during the tour?

You can book the car rental in advance, and it will be available at the hotel upon your arrival.

How can I pay for the tour?

You can pay for the tour online by clicking on 'Book now'. All major payment methods are accepted.

What documents are required for the tour?

All necessary documents include a driving license from your own country and Covid vaccination proof.

From

$713

US $642 per person

Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive

7 days

•

From San Jose to Alajuela

5.0 (3 reviews)

Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive - Destination Services Costa Rica

From

$713

-10%

US $642 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Platinum Operator: Destination Services Costa Rica
Road Trip & Self-Drive: Hit the open road and travel at your own pace
Private Tour: Travel exclusively with your friends and family
Self-guided: Independent exploration, backed by expert advice and support
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
San Jose
San Jose
Start point
Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica (Car pick up at San Jose Airport)
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Villa Tournon), Hotel 4* (Hotel Balmoral), Hotel 5* (Park Inn)
Day 2
San Jose to Arenal
San Jose to Arenal
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (San Bosco), Hotel 4* (Montaña de Fuego), Hotel 5* (Los Lagos)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Drive to Arenal (129km, approximately 4 hours)
Optional Activities
- Photo stop at Parque Francisco Alvarado and Iglesia de San Rafael in Zarcero
- Visit hot springs facilities in Arenal area
- Dinner at hot springs facility restaurants
Landmarks
Parque Francisco Alvarado
Iglesia de San Rafael
Arenal Volcano
Lake Arenal
Day 3
Arenal
Arenal
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (San Bosco), Hotel 4* (Montaña de Fuego), Hotel 5* (Los Lagos)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hiking at Arenal Volcano National Park
- Natural hot springs
- Horseback riding tour to La Fortuna Waterfall
- Sky Tram gondola ride through rainforest to observation deck
- Sky Trek zip line tour
Landmarks
Arenal Volcano National Park
La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano
Lake Arenal
Day 4
Arenal to Manuel Antonio
Arenal to Manuel Antonio
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Plaza Yara), Hotel (Costa Verde), Hotel (San Bada)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Drive to Manuel Antonio (240km, approximately 6 hours)
Optional Activities
- Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
- Enjoy beaches in Manuel Antonio area
- Boat trip through estuaries and mangroves surrounding Damas Island
- Visit Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation (sustainable organic farm)
Landmarks
Manuel Antonio National Park
Damas Island
Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation
Day 5
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (Plaza Yara), Hotel (Costa Verde), Hotel (San Bada)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Zip-lining canopy tour
- Horseback riding tour
- Guided afternoon tour of Manuel Antonio National Park with beach time
- Naturalist catamaran tour with snorkeling and sunset views
Landmarks
Manuel Antonio National Park
Pacific Ocean
Day 6
Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel 3* (Villa Tournon), Hotel 4* (Hotel Balmoral), Hotel 5* (Park Inn)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Drive to San Jose (177km, approximately 4 hours)
Optional Activities
- Visit Poas Volcano National Park
- Hike short easy trails at Poas
- See Lake Botos in Poas Volcano
- Visit Irazu volcano (Costa Rica's highest active volcano)
- Explore Orosi Valley and its colonial church (oldest church in Costa Rica)
- Visit museums in San Jose
- Explore Mercado Central food market in San Jose
Landmarks
Poas Volcano National Park
Lake Botos
Irazu Volcano
Orosi Valley
Mercado Central
Day 7
San Jose
San Jose
End point
Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría (SJO), Ruta Nacional 1, Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica (Car drop off at San Jose Airport)
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast

Landmarks
Parque Francisco Alvarado
Iglesia de San Rafael
Arenal Volcano
Lake Arenal

Landmarks
Arenal Volcano National Park
La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano
Lake Arenal

Landmarks
Manuel Antonio National Park
Damas Island
Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation

Landmarks
Manuel Antonio National Park
Pacific Ocean

Landmarks
Poas Volcano National Park
Lake Botos
Irazu Volcano
Orosi Valley
Mercado Central

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Guide
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Villa Tournon
Hotel 3*
Days 1, 6
Hotel Balmoral
Hotel 4*
Days 1, 6
Park Inn
Hotel 5*
Days 1, 6
San Bosco
Hotel 3*
Days 2, 3
Montaña de Fuego
Hotel 4*
Days 2, 3
Los Lagos
Hotel 5*
Days 2, 3
Plaza Yara
Hotel
Days 4, 5
Costa Verde
Hotel
Days 4, 5
San Bada
Hotel
Days 4, 5

Operated by

Destination Services Costa Rica

Platinum Operator

Rating: 4.4 (385 reviews)
Response time: 12 hours
Response rate: 100%
Cancellation policy: Learn more

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

5.0

Overall rating based on 3 Reviews

Itinerary
4.7
Transport
5.0
Guide
5.0
Accommodation
4.7
Food
5.0
Tour Operator
4.4

Paula5.0•January 2025
This was a fantastic experience. The hotels were good to great and Costa Rica is a beautiful country. Renting the...
Show more
Traveled in January 2025
Georgia5.0•July 2023
Our trip was great! We loved the volcanos area so much that we are planning a return visit.
Traveled in July 2023
Alena5.0•June 2022
It was great experience. I had no issues during my trip. Very recommended.
Traveled in May 2022
Reply from: Destination Services Costa Rica
Thanks so much for your feedback!, we really appreciate the time you took to write such a review!. Hope soon you come back to Costa Rica!!
Show more

Dates & Prices

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!

Ends on 23 Sep, 2026

Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Wednesday
23 Sep, 2026
To Tuesday
29 Sep, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Thursday
24 Sep, 2026
To Wednesday
30 Sep, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Friday
25 Sep, 2026
To Thursday
1 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Saturday
26 Sep, 2026
To Friday
2 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Sunday
27 Sep, 2026
To Saturday
3 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Monday
28 Sep, 2026
To Sunday
4 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Tuesday
29 Sep, 2026
To Monday
5 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Wednesday
30 Sep, 2026
To Tuesday
6 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Thursday
1 Oct, 2026
To Wednesday
7 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
Instant Confirmation
-10%
From Friday
2 Oct, 2026
To Thursday
8 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
$713
US$642 per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room

Why book with TourRadar?

Trusted and vetted operators
Rated excellent on
Best price guarantee

24/7 customer support
Unlock exclusive TourRadar+ member savings

To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in United States, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

More benefits

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

We couldn't find results

Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

N
Nóra
Asked on March 8th, 2025
Is there any penalty for date changes or cancellations?
Payments
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written March 2025
  Date changes might be possible without penalty if done within a specified period. Cancellations might incur fees; please refer to the terms and conditions.
D
Dieter
Asked on February 5th, 2025
What type of accommodations are included in the tour?
Accommodation
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written February 2025
  The tour includes stays in hotel rooms with breakfast. Detailed accommodation information will be confirmed after booking.
S
Sophia
Asked on January 16th, 2025
Is there a minimum age to drive in Costa Rica?
Age Range
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written January 2025
  The minimum age to drive in Costa Rica is 18 years old, and the minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old.
B
Bonnie
Asked on January 11th, 2025
Can I customize the tour itinerary?
Tour Details
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written January 2025
  Yes, customization of the itinerary is possible. Please inform us about your preferences and we will accommodate them accordingly.
L
Laurent
Asked on October 3rd, 2024
Is there travel support available during the tour?
Travel Support
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written October 2024
  Yes, you can reach out to us via the Ask a Question button for assistance during the tour.
R
Rick
Asked on August 16th, 2024
Can I add a guided tour instead of self-driving?
Tour Details
Transport
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written August 2024
  If you prefer not to drive, there are options for tours with transport included. Please inform us, and we will help you arrange it.
M
Moha
Asked on February 23rd, 2024
Is car insurance included in the tour?
Transport
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written February 2024
  Full car insurance is not included. Additional insurance can be purchased directly from the car rental company upon arrival.
T
Tina
Asked on February 22nd, 2024
What is the process for renting a car during the tour?
Transport
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written February 2024
  You can book the car rental in advance, and it will be available at the hotel upon your arrival.
E
Excelance
Asked on January 18th, 2024
How can I pay for the tour?
Payments
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written January 2024
  You can pay for the tour online by clicking on 'Book now'. All major payment methods are accepted.
R
Rebecca
Asked on January 9th, 2024
What documents are required for the tour?
Visa
- Destination Services Costa RicaOperator•Written January 2024
  All necessary documents include a driving license from your own country and Covid vaccination proof.

From

$713

-10%

US $642 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 207473

Currency
₡
Costa Rican Colon
Costa Rica
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B.
Type A
Costa Rica
Type B
Costa Rica
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Costa Rica. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Costa Rica. Ideally 10 days before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before November 18th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 18th, 2026, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Destination Services Costa Rica. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Destination Services Costa Rica will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Destination Services Costa Rica" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation terms may vary per tour. Please check for the full cancellation policy here.
  Checking the cancellation terms for this tour…
- Your money is protected.
  TourRadar is an authorized agent of Destination Services Costa Rica, and we handle payments so you don't have to. Payment is securely transferred to the Operator based on your departure date.
Insurance
Our travel protection from our award-winning partner, XCover, means you and your travel companions can book with peace of mind knowing there’s protection available in case your trip doesn’t go to plan. At checkout you will be able to select between different options in case you or the tour are eligible for insurance. In case no option is available, you are always able to purchase travel insurance outside of TourRadar.
Checking which travel protection options are available for you…
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
People also viewed
Spain Tours
8 Days From Tangier - Morocco Tours
13-Day East Africa Safari – Year-Round Migrat…
Sumatra Uncovered
Premium India and Nepal Tour
Elite Indochina Discovery 11-Day
15-Day Patagonia to Rio De Janeiro Tour

Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive

Itinerary

Introduction

San Jose

San Jose to Arenal

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Arenal

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Arenal to Manuel Antonio

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Manuel Antonio

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Manuel Antonio to San Jose

Included Activities

Optional Activities

San Jose

Included Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Prices

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Good to Know

Keep Exploring Costa Rica

Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio 7 Days, Self-Drive

Itinerary

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Where You'll Stay

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

Dates & Prices

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Earn while you share

Good to Know

Keep Exploring Costa Rica

Like this Moment?